I thought I would provide answers to some questions we’ve received regarding how this will work for Genuine vs. Non-Genuine Windows.

With Windows 10, we have extended an offer to our Genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device.

When we can’t verify that Windows is properly installed, licensed, and not tampered with, we create a desktop watermark to notify the user. If you ever encounter this watermark on a new machine, I encourage you to return the device immediately to the retailer from whom you purchased it and request a Genuine Windows device. Non-Genuine Windows has a high risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of your personal information, and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions. Non-Genuine Windows is not supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.

The windows 10 offer has just appeared on my windows 7, if I click it, it gives me the option to reserve win10 download, 3gig. cant check my win8.1 laptop until tomorrow, I would imagine its the same. I shall wait, rumours abound that Microsoft will charge for updates after a year, plus for some uses you have to use a Microsoft account, don't like the thought of that, bad enough google watching me, without Microsoft doing the same. I would imagine my tinfoil hat will block most attempts, we shall see.

I was tinkering with the thought of trying the Windows 10 preview version but having to register for a MS account decided me Linux works OK for me.

We now have a release date:

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Update: It's official: Windows 10 is coming on July 29 as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users (for one year). Microsoft's latest OS will be available to pre-order in the coming weeks when it launches in 190 different markets around the world.

As I'll be heard saying to my dying day, just how much time do you spend using Windows, as opposed to the programs you've installed?

Quite agree. If you can use gmail, Facebook and VLC Player on Windows you can use them just as easily on Linux. That said, Linux won't suit everyone so, before anyone rushes off to download the latest great freebie... Windows 10: what you need to know before you upgrade

Even if I was using Windows 8.1 I'd leave it a while before up(?)grading to Windows 10... just not totally certain it's 100% ready. JMO.

Microsoft explains what you’ll lose by upgrading to Windows 10Say goodbye to Windows Media Center and control over your updates

More annoyingly, perhaps, Microsoft has also changed how updates will work with Windows 10. Although the Pro and Enterprise editions will both be able to defer updates, Windows 10 Home users will not have the option. Updates will instead be downloaded and installed automatically as soon as they're available.

Windows 10‘s privacy settings very much need to be frowned at. Essentially: unless you pay close attention to the fluffy options offered when you first install Microsoft’s new operating system, it’s going to quietly track your behaviour and use it to fire targeted ads at you, as well as keeping tabs on your location history, data from messages, calendars, contacts and God knows what else.

Importantly, you can opt out of what seems to be all this stuff (time will tell) either during installation or afterwards, though Microsoft swaddle it in a combination of dissembling “hey, this stuff’ll really help you get the information you want’ fluff and 45 pages of service agreement documents.

Some people love it, and say that it's a great upgrade to the operating system. Microsoft itself is trumpeting that more than 14 million computer users were running Windows 10 within 24 hours of its release.

But I think it might be wise for many computer users to wait before upgrading.

The newly-released operating system doesn’t let its users play DVDs out of the box. Instead, Microsoft recommends that they buy its official DVD player from the Windows app store, spending $15 or £11.59 to do so.

But many have warned that the app isn’t much good and that users should take advantage of the many free options that are at their disposal. VLC media player is the usual choice — as well as being free and offering the same DVD capabilities, it also offers many more playback options and will play almost every kind of video.

One of the first major updates to Windows 10 has completely broken the computers of those who have installed it.

The update, codenamed KB3081424, is referred to as a “cumulative update” — intended to collect up a range of bug and security fixes and push them out in one go.

But for many users it is freezing their computers, forcing them into a loop that sees them try to restart, give up and shut off, before trying to reboot all over again. When the update fails to install, it tries to start all over again.

Some may choose to wait and hear what friends and family have to say about Windows 10 before taking the plunge. However, with the ongoing investment in this version of the platform from both Microsoft and the millions of Insiders who will continue to provide feedback after launch, Windows 10 may prove to be not only the last but also the best version of Windows.